I am frustrated that Monday night's hearings were not balanced.  There were no representatives from the medical, scientific, or environmental community on the agenda and and only three local citizens were allowed to speak briefly regarding concerns about plant emissions.

 

I have lived within 25 miles of Sherco since 1971 and have developed asthma and reactive airway disease reactive to sulfur compounds. I can tell you wind direction and particulate level on any given day from my breathing or need to stay indoors. Sherco is nearby and  Minnesota's single largest polluter. 

 

The statistics I have indicate Sherco emits some 11,460 tons of sulfur dioxide per year, also 10,190 tons of nitrogen oxide, 14.8 million tons of CO2, and 701# of mercury.  These emissions are linked to asthma, other respiratory diseases, heart disease, and more.  

 

Not only were health issues regarding Sherco coal power plants not on the agenda, but Rep. Garofalo and others stressed that Sherco is a clean emissions plant. I do understand how frustrated Becker citizens are to be facing the possible shutdown of at least two of its aging plants (Sherco 1 and 2), so why aren't legislators, community leaders and businesses, X-cel, and others working on transition plans like those in many other locations facing the same predicament?  

 

This could assist Becker and the surrounding area with the inevitable transition toward a cleaner energy grid, through economic planning, investment and development of new local jobs in renewable energy, provision of jobs through the cleanup process, protection of pensions, and more.  

 

Coal is an expensive, dirty, and  old technology and will be phased out as plants age. Why didn't the hearings deal with the future, rather than fueling anxious fears of the citizens of Becker? The deadline for voicing citizen concerns about Sherco 1 and 2 to the PUC is October 2.  

 

Use this opportunity by contacting them.